Title: Whose Back Was Stabbed? FDR’s Secret War On Japan
Author: Koichi Mera
Publisher: Hamilton Books
ISBN: 978-0761868958
Pages: 220
Genre: History/Politics & Government
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Political activist Marcus Garvey once said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” In author Koichi Mera’s book Whose Back Was Stabbed? FDR’s Secret War On Japan, the history of Japan and the United States during and after WWII is explored in a whole new light, challenging what we thought we knew about both nations and the reality of what led to the conflict between them.
The book follows never before seen documents declassified after the collapse of the Soviet Union, along with the works of both American and Japanese writers over the years, which documents some of the events that led up to the tragedy that was Pearl Harbor, and the horrific conditions of Japan after WWII. The scope of the book is from Japan’s military victory over Russia in the early 20th century that made the United States distrustful and apprehensive of the country’s powerful military presence, to the United States imprisonment and persecution of Japanese immigrants shortly after the blocking of Chinese immigrants by the United States, and finally the sham trials conducted by General MacArthur and the powers that be over those considered war criminals.
What was really fascinating was reading about the history of Japan’s journey to become a part of the powerful Western forces in the world, (France, Great Britain, China, United States, etc). From their critical role in the Boxer Rebellion and their missions to help neighboring nations become independent, to their partnership with Great Britain to stop Russian expansion and Theodore Roosevelt’s attempt to mediate negations to end the Russo-Japanese War, Japan’s status as a villain in the story of WWII may not be as clear cut as we are all taught in History classes. While an unpopular opinion, the author speculates that the tensions forced upon Japan by FDR and his cabinet and the tensions between the two nations in the years prior forced Japan into a corner, and the result was the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, giving FDR the reason he needed to engage Japan in warfare.
This is a fact-filled book meant for anyone fascinated by history, anyone open to new evidence that changes history, or anyone who enjoys reading up on the details behind WWII. As a history buff myself, it was truly compelling to read up on the history behind these two nations relationship. From failed business dealings and powerful military campaigns to racial distrust that grew from stereotypes and the grouping of the Japanese and Chinese immigrants by the white population in the late 19th and early 20th century United States, the role of the United States is revealed in a different light as we might think.
This is a must read history book. Filled with shocking documents and facts uncovered by tireless research, the message that stands out the most to readers will be that modern day Japanese citizens need not be ashamed of their country. What stands out is that each nation, no matter what, cannot be defined by the actions of their leaders. Leaders are individuals with their own ideas and mindsets, and not every person of a nation agrees with those views. The political games played by leadership have led to some truly horrific tragedies and events in our world, and the people of Japan should not be made to feel ashamed of their nation.
Who really started the war between Japan and the United States during WWII? Did the people of Japan deserve the near dictatorship of the occupying forces after the war, or the terrible living conditions? Find out for yourself by grabbing a copy of author Koichi Mera’s Whose Back Was Stabbed? FDR’s Secret War on Japan today!